The Rhythm of Regular Giving
Two NUS staff members are making a difference across campus with their commitment to monthly generosity.
Ms Dolly Teo and Ms Tharshini Pathmasanan are NUS staff who give regularly to support causes around campus.
This story is featured in the NUS Giving Report 2025/2025 - Future: Powered by Giving. Click here to read more Giving Report stories.
For two National University of Singapore (NUS) staff members, giving looks like regular monthly commitments and a quiet resolve to keep going.
Ms Dolly Teo (Business ’91), Associate Director at the Provost’s Office (Academic Affairs), is an NUS alumna who enjoyed a rigorous education and numerous opportunities at the University. Grateful for the experiences she had in her student years, she now feels compelled to give back.
During her staff orientation, an NUS Giving video produced by the Development Office was played for all attendees. The video, which featured a student recipient and the transformative impact of financial aid, moved Ms Teo deeply and reaffirmed her belief in making a difference to someone in need. “Giving back feels like the least I can do in return,” she said.
Today, Ms Teo makes a monthly recurring gift to the Enhanced Financial Aid Scheme (EFAS), supporting bursaries for financially needy students who are pursuing their education at NUS.
“Through EFAS, I hope students are given the chance to pursue their dreams and aspirations without any financial stress,” she shared. By giving, Ms Teo also hopes to inspire the beneficiaries to one day pay it forward and contribute to improving the lives of others.
Inspired for Impact
While Ms Teo’s giving is rooted in personal gratitude, Ms Tharshini Pathmasanan (Senior Assistant Manager at the Asia Centre for Health Security, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health) found her way to giving by watching people around her step up as regular donors. This prompted her to ask herself: Why not me?
She first heard about the NUS CatCafé initiative from a colleague, Ms Delia Quek, who contributed regularly. When she came across a mention of it again during her staff orientation, it felt like a clear sign for her to get involved.
One of the many cats on campus looked after by NUS CatCafé, M33y Thai (Muay Thai) is a familiar sight at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Ms Tharshini’s deep passion for animal welfare connects with NUS CatCafé’s dedication to providing a safe environment and high standards of care for every animal in its care. “It’s a campus-based initiative where the impact is immediate and tangible. You can really see and feel what your support goes towards,” she shared.
She now makes a monthly recurring contribution to the student-led initiative, which dedicates itself to caring for the welfare of the University’s campus cats, and one dog.
More Than a Gift
For both Ms Teo and Ms Tharshini, the rhythm of regular giving carries a significance beyond the dollar amount.
Ms Teo described it as an ongoing commitment—her way of remaining part of a collective effort to provide students with stability and security. To Ms Tharshini, it’s about participating in a culture of care and responsibility. “It’s a way of staying connected to a cause I genuinely believe in,” she affirmed.
Both were also quick to encourage fellow NUS staff who may be on the fence about making a gift.
“Start with what feels comfortable to you,” advised Ms Tharshini. “Regular giving can be modest, and you can adjust your contribution anytime.”
Ms Teo echoed this idea: “Put yourself in others’ shoes. If everyone assumes their contribution does not matter, then students who really need the financial support will be the ones who suffer.”
As both Ms Teo and Ms Tharshini have shown, giving does not begin with a large sum. It begins with a reason: gratitude for a journey, care for a cause or the quiet inspiration of someone who has paved the way.
“Every contribution, regardless of the amount, adds up—and collectively we can make a meaningful difference,” Ms Teo concluded.
Your gift matters. Find out more about NUS Staff Giving here.
